Motability Operations, the commercial organisation that delivers the Motability Scheme to disabled people across the UK, has revealed eVITA, a next-generation electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) concept designed and engineered by CALLUM.
The EV concept has been developed using inclusive-design principles with input from Motability Scheme customers. Using eVITA to demonstrate what’s possible, Motability Operations wants to collaborate with the automotive industry to ensure that inclusive-design principles are considered throughout vehicle development, so that wheelchair users aren’t left behind.
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In many EVs, the floor-mounted battery reduces internal height and space within the cabin and also limits the available payload. Without a solution, this would lead to customers in a wheelchair having to opt for larger vehicles than they need when switching to electric.
‘The transition to electric simply won’t work unless it’s accessible for all,’ said Andrew Miller, chief executive of Motability Operations. ‘We have the largest fleet in the UK and three-quarters of a million disabled customers who rely on their vehicles for their independence. Our customers aren’t the typical early EV adopters, they’re more representative of the wider population, and we know from first-hand insight what the challenges of having an EV will be for everyone. Without solutions and an equitable switch to electric, thousands of people could be left behind.
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“This is most pressing for our customers who use wheelchair accessible vehicles as they don’t have an obvious or affordable solution to transition to a smaller EV,’ he continued. ‘We were determined to find a way forward and I’m absolutely delighted that we have developed the eVITA concept with CALLUM, which genuinely has accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of its design, demonstrating what is possible. We’re sharing our knowledge and understanding with the industry – manufacturers, designers and engineers – to support an EV transition that works for everyone.’
Through research clinics, Motability Scheme customers provided valuable insight into the common pain points and priorities for passenger WAV users when on the road. Customers were insistent that the solution should be flexible and address their access needs without compromising design form.
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‘Today, electric vehicles are not offering the functionality and flexibility required by WAV users,’ said Ian Callum, design director at CALLUM, who oversaw the design team. ‘Original equipment manufacturers, their designers and engineers must plan ahead and embrace inclusive-design principles to ensure that WAV users and disabled people are not forgotten in the transition to EVs. With eVITA, form and functionality have been developed in parallel, resulting in a well-considered, user-friendly EV that is both practical and stylish.
The eVITA’s exterior has a bold and striking silhouette, with a sleek roofline that accommodates access requirements and provides appropriate headroom for wheelchair users entering via the rear split tailgate.
The positioning of the battery is critical to the vehicle’s design. The CALLUM team repackaged it, rearranging the internal components to reduce its overall height. With the reengineered battery pack positioned under the floor behind the first row of seats, the design ensures that the floor between the vehicle tailgate and front row is completely flat. This allows a wheelchair to smoothly travel from the ramped entrance through the interior and be positioned closer to other occupants. Where possible, lightweight materials have been used to offset the payload requirements for onboard equipment.
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This packaging design allows for a ride height akin to that of a hatchback, contributing to easier access and increased headroom. It also means that the wheelchair user has an improved, lower seating position in the cabin, which was important for many Motability Scheme customers. Having wheelchair users at a similar height to other vehicle occupants helps them to feel more connected to other passengers and also improves visibility. Sitting lower, combined with a glasshouse that features a cutaway panoramic roof, ensures optimum visibility for all vehicle occupants.
eVITA features two charging ports – one on the nearside rear and a lower, front-mounted option for ease of access for all users. The vehicle’s 50kWh battery provides an anticipated range of around 320 kilometres.
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The battery positioning has also contributed to a lower centre of gravity for improved ride and cornering ability. eVITA features a highly damped rear suspension for predictable handling, balancing a comfortable and supple ride with control to minimise roll while navigating roundabouts, speed bumps and potholes.
The cabin has two front and two rear doors, with the rear sliding doors featuring accessible release buttons. eVITA features a split tailgate – the upper section acting as an extension to the roof to keep users dry when entering and exiting in wet weather. A wide, low-angle ramp automatically extends from inside, with a winch aiding wheelchair users’ entry into the vehicle cabin.
Additionally, customers stressed the common frustration of other motorists parking too close to the rear, making it difficult – and often impossible – to lower the access ramp when returning to their vehicle. To alert other motorists while parked, eVITA uses energy-efficient LED puddle lights to visually project onto the ground the essential space required for the extended ramp at the rear of the vehicle.
Within the CALLUM team that worked on eVITA are students Zoe Graham and Yikuan Zhang, who were hand-selected in early 2023 following ‘design hacks’ at the Glasgow School of Art and Coventry University. Tasked with creating an eWAV concept, both Graham’s and Zhang’s innovative ideas stood out and they won themselves paid placements at Warwickshire-based CALLUM to support this project. Their placements align with CALLUM’s ‘Next Generation’ initiative, which supports and nurtures the next wave of talent joining the automotive industry. Graham’s and Zhang’s fresh and innovative perspectives have been valuable to the project, with Graham developing the ramp light projection idea to ensure other motorists leave enough space around eWAVs for access.